RB-KR McKnight to work out for Packers

Aug. 30, 2013

The New York Jets cut former fourth-round draft pick Joe McKnight earlier this week. / File/AP

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The Packers are bringing in running back Joe McKnight for a workout this weekend.

An NFL source confirmed that McKnight’s tweet today “Headed to Green Bay tomorrow #freshstart” was about a workout he has scheduled with the team.

The New York Jets cut McKnight earlier this week. The former fourth-round draft pick never played much as a halfback for the Jets but was a good kickoff returner (29.0-yard average on 76 returns, including two touchdowns). He also averaged 4.5 yards on his 112 carries in three seasons.

McKnight also had a concussion and traffic run-in with the law that marred his training camp this year.

On a day off early in camp he was pulled over for speeding past a police car and changing lanes without signaling, and when police checked his license plate they discovered he had two unpaid traffic fines, for having an uninsured motor vehicle and making an unsafe lane change.

McKnight also missed three weeks of training camp because of a concussion.

The Packers are looking at options for backup running backs and also could be considering McKnight as a primary kickoff returner. Last week their No. 2 halfback, DuJuan Harris, to a season-ending injury to his patellar tendon.

Their backups behind Eddie Lacy currently are Johnathan Franklin, Alex Green and James Starks. Their primary kickoff returner is Jeremy Ross, but he is battling for the No. 5 receiver and not a lock for a roster spot.